Culture
Dual Relationships and Ethical Boundaries
With Former Clients
Kimberly Davis
Grand Canyon University: PCN 505
Professor Schultz
April 1, 2012
Introduction Professional counselors have the obligation to ensure quality and effective counseling toward clients. All the while, counselors are committed to the ethical guidelines that are established to avoid legal, professional malpractice and competent issues. Some of those guidelines consider dual relationships and professional boundaries. Counselors are not to engage in dual relationships with clients, supervisors, and coworkers, and also should be cautioned to prevent situations that may cause ethical boundary violations. However, after a client has completed treatment and has been terminated for some time, some of those rules tend to change. Therefore, counselors should be able to think logically while having criteria to make ethical decisions.
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships I have developed criteria for former clients to help make an ethical decision as to whether engage in a dual relationship with the former client years after termination. Appendix A describes the criteria within a chart as a process that would take place when the situation arises. Before I make a decision as to whether engage in a dual relationship with a former client, I would consider the well-being of the former client, the history of the client, the medical issues of the client, and then any professional issues that may occur. It would create turmoil for a professional counselor to have any relations with a former client engaging in criminal activity, associate with others who abuse substances, and have inappropriate moral values. People do change behaviors and thought patterns within or after five years. Unless the former client was ordered to counseling involuntarily through the judicial system, I would have nothing further to do with the client after termination of treatment. While considering the
With Former Clients
Kimberly Davis
Grand Canyon University: PCN 505
Professor Schultz
April 1, 2012
Introduction Professional counselors have the obligation to ensure quality and effective counseling toward clients. All the while, counselors are committed to the ethical guidelines that are established to avoid legal, professional malpractice and competent issues. Some of those guidelines consider dual relationships and professional boundaries. Counselors are not to engage in dual relationships with clients, supervisors, and coworkers, and also should be cautioned to prevent situations that may cause ethical boundary violations. However, after a client has completed treatment and has been terminated for some time, some of those rules tend to change. Therefore, counselors should be able to think logically while having criteria to make ethical decisions.
Boundary Issues and Dual Relationships I have developed criteria for former clients to help make an ethical decision as to whether engage in a dual relationship with the former client years after termination. Appendix A describes the criteria within a chart as a process that would take place when the situation arises. Before I make a decision as to whether engage in a dual relationship with a former client, I would consider the well-being of the former client, the history of the client, the medical issues of the client, and then any professional issues that may occur. It would create turmoil for a professional counselor to have any relations with a former client engaging in criminal activity, associate with others who abuse substances, and have inappropriate moral values. People do change behaviors and thought patterns within or after five years. Unless the former client was ordered to counseling involuntarily through the judicial system, I would have nothing further to do with the client after termination of treatment. While considering the
References: None.